Quick Take: Our analysis of police figures shows that crime has reduced in Kano State

Kano State Police Command has just released its crime figures for 2017. The data shows a general decline in criminal activities in Nigeria’s officially most populous state.

The police attributes this to the “Inspector-General of Police war against corruption gaining ground within the rank and file” of the force. The command gave a figure of 601 as number of major crimes recorded.

We have compared this with the 2016 figures, in which the police said it arrested 1027 criminals and made a comparison of the numbers based on the various categories. See below:

Rape and Sexual Offences

Recorded Number of Rape and Sexual Offences in Kano State has declined by about 39% between 2016 and 2017

2017: 334 cases of rape and other sexual offences

2016: 547 cases of rape and other sexual offences

Armed Robberies

Armed Robbery Cases have declined by about 51% and the number of arrested suspects by 35%

2017: 35 cases of robbery were reported and 76 suspects arrested.

2016: 72 cases of armed robbery with 117 suspects arrested

Kidnappings

The police briefing did not give number of suspected kidnappers arrested in 2017 unlike 2016 but the number of rescued victims increased by about 92%.